Sixth place over the line but Bautista brimming with confidence after excellent battle at Indy

Team GO & FUN Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista produced another strong ride at Indianapolis, backing up his fourth place last time out at Laguna Seca with another challenge for the same position. Unfortunately he was unable to finish the job on the final lap as he struggled for front grip and he lost out to Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow in an exciting battle to the final corner, scoring an otherwise solid sixth place that confirms his recent progress and provides optimism for the future.

Alvaro Bautista (6th) “I am really happy and I think we had a great race today. Obviously I would have preferred to finish fourth, but sixth place and the way we got it is not a bad result. Unfortunately I had to push the front harder than I would have liked in the first part of the race and we paid the price at the end, when I was unable to defend my position from Crutchlow. It’s a shame, but I am happy anyway, we have a fantastic feeling with the bike right now and we are doing a good job, so I want to say a special thanks to the team and the guys at Showa, Nissin and of course at Honda. Now we can look to the future with even more confidence.”

Fausto Gresini “Alvaro has had a good weekend and he finished it off with a fantastic race. Obviously I would have preferred to see him cross the line in fourth place but it seems he was struggling with the front in the second half of the race so we have to be happy with the result that gives the whole team another nice lift. Their hard work is bearing fruit, we have a competitive bike and Alvaro is fighting at the front so I want to thank the team, Honda for giving us a great bike and also Alvaro. It is nice to see him having fun and I am sure we will have a lot more to shout about very soon.”

Source: Gresini Racing